Photo: Melanie Brown
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
India communication satellite launch fails
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| India's launch of its latest communication satellite failed Saturday afternoon after the rocket GSLV-F06 carrying it developed a technical snag soon after its take-off from the southern spaceport of Sriharikota, Dec. 25, 2010. (Xinhua/AFP Photo) |
NEW DELHI, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- India's launch of its latest communication satellite failed Saturday afternoon after the rocket GSLV-F06 carrying it developed a technical snag soon after its take-off from the southern spaceport of Sriharikota, sources said.
"The rocket geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle (GSLV) carrying communication satellite GSAT-5P exploded mid-air just moments after it took off from the Sriharikota rocket launch center. The launch at 16:00 p.m. failed due to the technical fault in the first phase," the sources said.
The satellite GSAT-5P, powered by Russian engine, was expected to serve the needs of the telecommunication sector and the weather department and would have eventually replaced the INSAT-2E satellite that was sent up in 1999.
The GSAT-5P is a satellite with 36 transponders which can be used for beaming television and radio programs and telephonic conversations, for conducting telemedicine and tele-education programs and organizing banking services.
This is the second failure this year, after a GSLV mission rocket plunged into the Bay of Bengal on April 15.
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| India's launch of its latest communication satellite failed Saturday afternoon after the rocket GSLV-F06 carrying it developed a technical snag soon after its take-off from the southern spaceport of Sriharikota, Dec. 25, 2010. |
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Britain set to license the 1,000th channel in the New Year
Anything on TV? Britain set to license the 1,000th channel in the New Year
Britain will license its 1,000th television channel in the New year - more than any other country apart from the U.S.
Figures from the broadcasting watchdog Ofcom, show that 948 stations have permission to air on terrestial, cable, Freeview and Sky services in Britain.
They range from the Sikh Channel and Espanola Internacional to Psychic TV or learning yoga with Body In Balance TV.
On the television remote: Plenty of rival channels to choose from
Ofcom believes the 1,000th will be granted in early 2011.
Mark Lawson, presenter of Radio 4's arts and entertainment show Front Row, told the Sunday Times that figure would have a 'big symbolic significance.'
He added: 'It wasn't really that long ago that we saw the launch of Channel 4 (1982) and then Channel 5 (1997), so the 1,000th licence will be a landmark.
'But the danger, as most people will probably acknowledge, is that the opening up of television was never about quality - it was mainly about quantity.'
The number of home shopping channels has exploded with 45 now available with celebrities appearing on screen to back their brands and pop stars like Charlotte Church and Jamie Callum launching their albums.
Ofcom has licensed 54 movie channels, including at least two Bollywood stations, 45 music channels which cater for all tastes from hip-hop and classical.
There are religious channels including Revelation which is run by a couple in Surrey. They have 'no idea' how many viewers they have.
The jump in the number of stations has been attributed in part to the low start-up cost with £2,500 to bid for a licence and a £1,000 annual fee.
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Couples Watch Penelope Cruz & Javier Bardem's Active Holiday Weekend
Couples Watch: Penélope Cruz & Javier Bardem's Active Holiday Weekend
